Ned, my name is Ed Kowalski and I graduated with your brother Jim. I am so sorry and sad over Jim's passing. I posted to following on our class FB page and I just wanted to share it with you: By now, I's sure that everyone has heard the news that Jimmy Visser has passed away. Jim Visser. Don't know what to say. My memories of him are solid. Jimmy was that kind of guy. Solid. An old soul who was always very accepting of people and who always saw the absurdity in people and situations. Always was able to laugh. I don't ever remember him getting angry or upset. Very talented. I still remember him, guitar in hand, taking the stage at one talent show and singing the Herman Hermit's song, 'Mrs. Brown you have a lovely daughter'...….in a cockney accent. He loved dramatics. Loved working with Mr. Rafter on the school's plays. Always was kind.
Earlier in the month I posted about another of our classmates passing. Artie Mirtallo. Artie was my classmate in Father Aracich’s Italian class in senior year. Now, after all these years, the one thing that I remember about Artie was that he had a condition called Heterochromia. In complete heterochromia, one iris is a different color from the other. Yes, Artie had one blue and one brown eye! Reading the news of his passing, I grabbed our yearbook and there he was. In that yearbook he is 17. His signature and note, written to me all those years ago, said the following: “Damn good year, Ed, I could not have gotten through Italian without you”...Now, I previously wrote about my own trials in that class, under Father Aracich, and Artie grew up with two Italian speaking parents. So, as I looked at his picture and note in our yearbook, I, quietly, thought to myself that Artie had no idea what he was talking about.
I never saw Artie, again, after we graduated. Not at a reunion, nor a football game, or any other function. Yet, I was saddened to learn of his passing.
I did run into Jimmy while I was at Fordham. He was dating a girl who lived in the neighborhood where I was working. We'd grab a slice of pizza; sometimes a beer and always laugh. Jimmy now joins Artie and our other brothers who are no longer with us. Joseph Cipolina, Edward Healey, Jorge Hevia, Harold McCarthy and Thomas Salley.
Sometimes, in life, you meet people who forget you and sometimes you forget people you meet, but sometimes you meet those people you can’t forget....Those are your friends...
Atque In Pepetuum Frater Ave Atque Vale
Julia Ryan Phelan Jimmy was such a great guy...I’ll always remember him playing ‘Dirty Old Town’ at the Christmas season party...joining us for the Irish Mass at Old St. Pat’s...years later he and I would run into each other on the street every once and a while since our offices were close; he’d rib me for my ‘expensive lawyer lunch’ of a plain bagel....I always loved seeing him. I hope he is resting peacefully now.
Dave Ryan He was a dear and true friend to me from the day we met. I am going to miss him. I will remember him lovingly always. Hope we can meet soon to celebrate the joy he brought to so many. Hope you and your family are well, ...
Joe Hart Sad to hear that. Although we only did Allegro together, he left an indelible mark on me. I remember him blasting out some blues riff, that was about getting a good whipping for his lady. He was funny and kind, most especially inclusive. I’m sorry for your loss Dave. Jimmy will be in my prayers.
Jill Varrichio I did 2 or 3 plays at Xavier. Rhinoceros and Cyrano de Bergerac. Jimmy and friends showed up at my then BF 18th birthday party. We had such great times, parties back in the day. He was always smiling. Bless him, your entire family. When all this is over, he deserves a proper send off. With all who knew and loved him...and who will always love him
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Reminiscences, Stories, Prayers